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Jason Mackey's Penguins chat: 04.04.19
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Jason Mackey
12:38
Hi folks. Welcome to my Thursday chat. Lots to talk about. Transcribing some for a feature I'm working on. We're going get going here shortly.
12:57
OK, folks. Let's do this.
guest
12:57
Hi Jason,  I saw your debut on the nightly sports talk and you did great :)  I hope you are on more so we can hear all hockey talk!
Jason Mackey
12:57
Thank you for that. I believe I will be on more.
TortorellaLite AKA MikeSullivan
12:57
So 13 years into Letang's career and the guy has played more than 70 games in only 4 of them. Did the Penguins ever take that into consideration before giving him a contract paying him $7.5 into his mid 30's? He's always been a bit overrated because he's a nice guy and right handed shot, but I don't see how his contract does anything but handcuff this team going forward. He's made of glass and is a complete head-case. Also, can anyone explain how Maatta gets worse every time he steps on the ice? Does he actually skate with concrete in his skates?
Jason Mackey
1:00
So much positivity ... I don't know how you handle it. Seriously. Kris Letang could wind up in the top three for the Norris Trophy this season. Yes, he has been hurt a bunch, but I'm not sure they knew that was going to happen when they signed him. How, back then, would you have predicted serious neck surgery ... then twice having a recurrence of neck issues? It's been unfortunate, yes, but I can't call it back business on the Penguins' part. ... Maatta continually works on his speed. The league has gotten faster. It's definitely not his best trait, but if he's on his game, I don't think it's a gigantic detriment.
Cosmo K
1:00
So, goin' down the road feeling bad about our lack of offense these days has many very worried. I understand that 58's absence has caused the D to tighten (but they missed his defensive catch up speed against the Wings), but has possibly limited offensive opportunities. How do the Pens get the offense/defense balance necessary to be a major factor moving forward beyond getting back a healthy Letang and the power play getting back to "normal"?
Jason Mackey
1:01
Re: the power play. The miss Malkin more than anything. They need to shoot the puck a heck of a lot more, for one. Two, honestly, I like Jake Guentzel, but I don't know how much he was adding from a creativity standpoint. Having Malkin over him will be a huge upgrade. Same for Letang over Schultz. More deception. Better shot lanes. Tug the PK around a bit. Five-on-five, I'm not worried, honestly. They have the horses. Process has been there.
Cosmo K
1:01
Saw a marble rye reference in one of your articles a while ago, couldn't quite figure that one out... Was hoping for some clarity... Darren sends his best.
Jason Mackey
1:02
You know the reference, Cosmo. "Gimme the rye you old bag!"
Cosmo K
1:02
Saw a marble rye reference in one of your articles a while ago, couldn't quite figure that one out... Was hoping for some clarity... Darren sends his best. Sorry if I sent this twice.
Jason Mackey
1:02
Letang's return will help. I also think the Penguins were a little bit flat. That's not a complicated change. I like what Sullivan is doing with the top two lines. McCann and Rust will play important roles.
Larry in KY
1:02
How do the Pens counter the Detroit speed that beat them Tuesday?  Letang's return?  Aggressive forechecking?  What is the plan?
Jason Mackey
1:03
Also, forcing Detroit on its heels is absolutely something they need to do tonight. Don't let that top line create stuff in the offensive zone.
SydneyBeagle
1:03
I've tried to understand what Phil Kessel brings to the Pens but just don't see it. They have been trying to bring his game up all season by rearranging lines, benching other deserving wingers and giving him every opportunity to contribute. Am I missing something - his passes are sloppy, shoots off target and doesn't play defense or even make an effort to get to the puck.  $8 million seems a bit much for this.
Jason Mackey
1:04
I see what you're saying, Sydney, but there's only so much they can do. Just because Kessel is struggling -- and he has been for much of the season -- they can't cut him and save the money. It's not the NFL. They've been trying to help him rediscover his game. He's thinking too much. He's not hurt. He does care. But they're trying literally everything possible to try and get him to be more instinctive and less reactive.
Cosmo K
1:04
I do understand coach Sullivan's approach keeping a center and forward together, but he's got such a challenge with injuries/non production and line combos. Has the coaching staff typically kept a dman together with those forward pairs? For instance does 44 skate with 87's line or is it mostly 4 or 58?
Jason Mackey
1:04
He does. When possible, it's been a lot of Letang with Crosby. I think we'll see that again tonight.
Cosmo K
1:04
Would there be anything worse for a goalie (Fleury) than to have an empty net shot attempt hit the goal post and not go in? Their relationship with goal posts is interesting enough to begin with...
Jason Mackey
1:05
I can't imagine Fleury would be anything less than apoplectic if that ever happened to him. He might break up with his goal posts after that.
Jed from Tennessee
1:05
Do you think the players differ in their response to Recchi as a coach versus Tocchet, being that Tocchet was so well liked?
Jason Mackey
1:06
I don't think so. I think they like Recchi a lot, too. I just think Tocchet had a real good knack -- it's why he's a head coach -- for handling situations before they start, having relationships with guys, offering that support, etc. He's just a damn good coach. That's all their is to it.
there*
Dave
1:06
Hey Jason, my dvr cut off on Sunday night during Sports Showdown and I missed your thoughts and analysis on Phil Kessel would you be so kind to lend the cliff notes version here for us.  Great job look forward to this chat each week.  Lets Go Pens!
Jason Mackey
1:08
Thanks Dave. Where I stand on Phil right now is this: The dude doesn't stink at hockey. He's going to break out at some point. Is it now? The playoffs? Next season? I don't know. I also think it's best right now for him to play with Malkin and for Sullivan to let those two go. I also think that's what Sullivan will do. Third, I think the Penguins need Kessel to win more than a round in the playoffs. He's such a huge part of this team when you talk about getting goals from several key sources.
Hornqvist Fan
1:08
Jason hope all is well.  After a season where Malkin and Kessel have significantly underperformed how can we possibly think both players will show up in the playoffs?  I realize this won’t happen but if you’re going to shake up your power play why wouldn’t you replace Kessel with Guentzel?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:09
Because Kessel is much better on the power play than Guentzel, to grab the first part of that. ... I also think because they have a proven track record of performing in the playoffs. Why wouldn't you think there's a possibility of them getting that sort of thing back? They've both also shown glimpses of figuring it out. They're not far off.
Mike
1:09
Looking like Letang is a game-time decision for tonight. It was seeming as though he wouldn’t be ready for the playoffs (if we make it). But is there a real chance he returns tonight ?
Jason Mackey
1:09
Yes. A very strong chance he plays tonight.
Mike
1:09
What is the buzz around dumolin injury? Does it seems like a minor injury or is there cause for concern?
Jason Mackey
1:09
Minor. Believe it involves his knee. Also, a strain. Nothing to freak out over.
guest
1:09
I’m sad to see Sid coming so close to 100 but likely missing out. It was a pretty bad drought for him - but was it just a matter of bad puck luck, or has he been overworked after carrying the team for most of the season and having to doubleshift with Geno out? Was moving McCann a factor and will his return give Sid the spark he needs? But 100 points or not, what a great season for the captain
Jason Mackey
1:10
Sid has gotten a lot of his shots blocked recently. That's one thing. Two, he needs to be shooting more. I think some of that is on him. There's also something there with his line. A lot of shuffling. Not a ton of finishing. I do think Sid breaks out tonight. He'll shoot a lot and get a goal.
Mike
1:11
What player is the most friendly to the media and who is not so friendly with interviews?
Jason Mackey
1:11
Most friendly would probably be McCann, Bjugstad, Crosby, Cullen or Maatta.
1:12
Tough to say who's the least. They're all pretty decent guys. Phil hates the media thing. We know that. Malkin doesn't like talking a lot. Hornqvist doesn't like talking for long. Murray isn't a big fan of scrums and lights. Whatever. It is what it is. It isn't for everyone. Doesn't make them "not friendly."
Adam
1:12
In your view, what will be the biggest factor for the Penguins to go deep into the Playoffs? What would be the reasons they fall flat? (I.e. what do you see as their biggest strengths and weaknesses).
Jason Mackey
1:13
Biggest reason they go far: Murray and him putting the team on his back. He's done it and is capable of doing it again.
Biggest reason they flame out: Not enough goals from secondary sources ... too reliant on a select group of players.
Mike
1:13
What is your vibe on the confidence level of the team going down the stretch? Seems crazy to think a team with 97 points has yet to clinch.
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